St. John of God National School,
Passage Road, Waterford.
X91 TX47
Telephone: 051 - 876255
e-mail: [email protected]
3rd November, 2015
Dear Parents,
~Welcome back to all after the Hallowe’en break. We have had a very busy productive half-term up to now.
Well done to all the girls for working so hard since September. Their behaviour has been exemplary – not
one girl was sent to my office yet this year! We are very lucky in Saint John of God School to have such
well-behaved girls – a credit to themselves, to their parents and to the school. Home-work is always well
done by most girls. We hope to keep this up until the silly season begins in December! Maith sibh go léir.
~The Mayor, Eamonn Quinlan, visited the school on Wednesday, October 23rd. He presented certificates
to pupils who had full attendance last year (2014-2015). He also congratulated all the girls for good
attendance – 94% last year.
~On Friday, 24th October we had a very spooky school as all the girls, and even some of the teachers,
came in dressed up for Hallowe’en. We then enjoyed the Mayor’s Half day.
~On Wednesday, October 7th as part of the 1916 Centenary Programme the national flag and a copy of
the Proclamation was delivered to our school by Lieutenant Shane Flood. We will cherish it and display it
proudly in our school on special events. Check our website for pictures.
~I would like to, again, remind parents to mark school jumpers, tracksuit tops, coats and other personal
items with their daughter’s name. I would also like to remind you that the girls must wear good, sensible
school shoes – not runners. This footwear should have non-slip soles. Tracksuits and runners are to be
worn on P.E. and Dancing days only. Full uniform is worn on other days. At this time of year, all children
need a coat in school. We like to let the children play outside twice a day, whenever possible. Teachers
also, at times, like to take the girls out on walks, trips to the park, trips to Winterval etc.
~New benches have been put in the sheds. This is thanks to the parents who paid the Voluntary
Contribution last year. It was lovely to see the excitement on the girls’ faces when they went out to play last
Monday.
~It’s that time of year again! The Parents Association are busy organising the main fundraising activities for
our school – the Christmas Raffle and the School Calendars. A big thank you to all the parents who
sponsored prizes for the raffle. There is still time to sponsor a raffle prize or to advertise in the calendar.
Please contact Paula. Thanks are due also to the parents who organised the class photos for the calendar.
We encourage everyone to sell raffle tickets as the prizes are great this year – girls will receive tickets soon.
Christmas cards designed by the children will also be on sale this year.
~The book fair was a great success – thanks to all parents and teachers who helped out and who bought the
books. We will soon receive €1,800 worth of books for the classroom libraries from Scolastic Book Fairs. It
will be worth all the hard work and organisation.
~This year some classes will again take part in the Christmas Child Shoe Box appeal. Some girls have
already begun filling their shoe boxes. Last year’s appeal was a great success and we sent over 100
Christmas boxes to less fortunate children all over the world. It gave our girls an opportunity to develop a
real understanding of the true spirit of Christmas. Other classes will take part in an initiative where
Christmas boxes will be filled for needy patients in Saint Patrick’s Hospital. We will visit the hospital
to deliver the boxes and sing some carols in December.
~Our Christmas plays are well underway-bring on the shepherds, lambs, babies and mangers.
~Our annual Christmas Carol Mass will take place on Saturday, 19th December in Saint Joseph and Saint
Benildus Church at 6.30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. It is always a lovely start to the Christmas
season. Our Senior Choir and Sr. Úna are already rehearsing.
~As a school staff, we regularly evaluate standards and progress in school, and select areas for future
improvement. Our Literacy plan for this year will focus on hand-writing skills. Our Numeracy plan will
focus on the development of maths strategies to help learn tables.
~We also are reviewing the PE Plan in the school. We intend to apply for the Active Schools Flag this
year. We will survey parents, children and teachers to gather data about activity levels in the girls in our
school children. We would appreciate if you would fill in the survey – your views are always valued. We
will also host many active events throughout the year- starting with a Santa Dash in the People’s Park in
December. So dust off those Santa hats and costumes!! Parents will be invited to join us. Today Niall
Tuohy, a Waterford athlete, gave a presentation to our senior girls. Thanks to Niall and to Chia Bia who
sponsored his visit.
Thank you for your support and co-operation.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir,
-----------------------------------------Mrs. A. Morris
Principal
Here’s a nice Winter picture for you to colour when your parents
have read the newsletter.